Sale 953 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 25-28 March, 2008
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Lightly cancelled by small circle of Vs, perfs much better than usual for this all-over grill issue, Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Bold cork cancel, usual perfs associated with this issue, Fine
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Beautifully centered, bright shade, segmented cork cancel, strong grill, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Well-centered with excellent color and a clear grill impression, nearly face-free circular datestamp and cork cancel, Very Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Bright color, clearly-defined grill, neat target cancel, Fine, owner's backstamp
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Original gum, intense shade, typical centering for this rare grilled stampVERY GOOD. THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL IS EXTREMELY RARE IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Clearly-defined grill, intense shade on bright paper, neat strike of target cancel, few short perfs at left, otherwise Fine, owner's backstamp
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Intense shade and impression, beautifully centered, segmented cork cancel, small thin spot at bottom, Very Fine and choice appearance, with 1996 P.F. certificate
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Better than usual centering, small part target cancel, neatly pressed crease and small margin scuff at right (called a thin spot on accompanying certificate), Fine appearance, with 1999 A.P.S. certificate
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Incredibly well-centered for this scarce grill, bright color, bold large unframed grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A TRULY OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Lightly cancelled, well-centered, bright shade, Very Fine, ex Sheriff, with 1971 and 1992 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Bright shade, bold cancel, Very Fine, owner's backstamp
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Incredibly well-centered, especially for a D Grill, irregular circle of diamonds cancel, some shorter perfs and light soiling, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Crisp shade and impression, nicely balanced margins and nearly perfect centering, blue grid cancel, strong grillEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL WITH LIGHT BLUE CANCEL.
With 1993 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Wide margins, clearly-defined grill, intense shade, face-free cork cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Very unusual geometric cancel, more or less typical centering for the 2c Z Grill, nearly Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Clearly-defined grill, intense shade, cork cancel, small corner crease at top left, expertly reperfed, Fine appearance, owner's backstamp
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Original gum, attractively centered, intense color, short perf at left, thin spot at top left and minor gum stainVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN UNUSED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 1971 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Unusually deep shade and detailed impression, three enormous margins, well-struck circle of V's cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Intense shade, bold cancel, Fine, owner's backstamp
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Classic intense Z Grill shade, unusual large triangle cancel, reperfed at bottom, nearly Very Fine appearance, with 1999 P.F. certificate that does not mention the reperfing
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Unused (traces of gum), bright fresh color, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 1970 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Unused (no gum), brilliant color, clearly-defined grill, short perf at bottom left not mentioned on accompanying certificate, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Unusually wide margins approaching Jumbo size, attractively centered, rich color, light grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 and 2007 P.F. certificates
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Original gum, intense shade, Very Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Unused (no gum), exquisite Jumbo margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem with great eye appeal, with 1985, 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Unused (traces of gum), deep shade, nicely centered, single tiny perf thin at top center (not noted on certificate), Very Fine and choice appearance, ex Lutwak, with 1978 P.F. certificate
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Sharp strike of "B" cancel of Beloit Wis., well-centered, Very Fine, scarce, with 2004 P.F. certificate for pair (this is the sound left stamp)
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Fabulous wide margins and exceptionally well-centered, fresh color, light central grid cancel and bit of blue French transit at bottom left corner, Very Fine and choice, with 1987 P.F. certificate
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Lightly cancelled by grid with part of red datestamp at lower right, rich color, three wide margins, couple irregular perfs at upper left (not noted on certificate), otherwise Very Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Deep shade, superb centering, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Choice margins, light blue cork cancel, Very Fine and attractive, with 1996 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, F. Grill, Very Thin Paper (92 var). Original gum, distinctive bright shade on semi-transparent paper, balanced margins all around with near-perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM ON VERY THIN PAPER.
With 1988 P.F. certificate as normal No. 92
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Original gum, lightly hinged and incredibly freshVERY FINE. A BRIGHT AND FRESH 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright shade, unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT F GRILL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,150.00). Only one other has achieved this grade, which is the highest awarded to date.
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Lightly cancelled in red, beautifully centered, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, almost perfectly centered, pale shade, Extremely Fine, with 1978, 2005 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $720.00)
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractively centered, fresh and bright, Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Horizontal block of twelve, original gum, vast majority if not all Mint N.H., three stamps at top with slight natural gum skips, wonderfully freshFINE. AN IMPRESSIVE AND RARE IMPRINT MULTIPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT F GRILL.
Scott Retail as three blocks of four without premium for imprint.
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, pristine except for a tiny bit of offset, beautiful rich color in a bright reddish shade, unusually sharp impression, remarkably fresh, wide margins clear of design all around and perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT BROWN F GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
The 5c 1861-68 Issues are extremely difficult to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition. The narrow spacing between stamps on the plate and large 12-gauge perforations resulted in stamps that are frequently off center. This applies to Scott 67, 75, 76 and 95 alike. None of these is easy to locate in centered original-gum condition (to understate the matter), but the limited production of 5c F Grills leaves collectors with an even smaller supply. By virtue of its color, centering and freshness, we believe the stamp offered here is superior to any we have seen offered in years.
With 1990 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Rich color, cork cancel, small margin defect at bottom, otherwise Very Fine, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Part original gum (as described on certificate, but the gum is mostly complete), wide margins, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1979 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Described as faintly cancelled on certificate but we don't see it, wide margins, intense shade, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, lightly hinged, almost perfectly centered with remarkably wide margins all around capturing the characteristic plate burrs of 12c 1868 grills, intense shade and impression, clearly-defined grillEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL. AN EXTRAORDINARY STAMP AND CERTAINLY AMONG THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
We acknowledge the past existence of original-gum 12c F Grill multiples, which in recent years have been broken to furnish choice singles. However, the quality of this particular stamp -- its centering and immense margins, shade and overall freshness -- qualify it as one of the three or four finest in existence.
With 1986 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Unused (no gum), essentially perfect centering, clear impression, reperfed at left, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1999 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Remarkably wide margins and wonderfully well-centered, neat large circle of wedges cancel, clear impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,900.00)
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, cork cancel leaves design clearly visible, nibbed perf at upper right, still Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2003 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Choice centering with well-proportioned margins, unobtrusive strike of cork cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, an attractive stamp
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Perfectly centered with wide balanced margins, quartered cork cancel, some slightly shorter perfs, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Bright shade, enormous margins, clearly-defined grill, light strike of grid cancel, Extremely Fine, scarce with such wide margins, with 1981 and 2004 P.F. certificates
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Choice centering with well-proportioned margins, bright shade beautifully complemented by red cork cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, a stamp of tremendous visual appeal, with 2003 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Light face-free cork cancel, well-centered, sharp impression, couple perf tip creases (not noted on certificate), still Very Fine and choice, with 1983 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Lightly cancelled by small circle of wedges which leaves Franklin's face untouched, bright shade and fresh color, perfs clear of design all around and nicely balancedEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE HIGH-GRADE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CLASSIC STAMPS TO FIND IN CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Almost perfectly centered, rich color, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL, ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CLASSIC ISSUES IN THIS QUALITY.
With 1977 and 1996 P.F. certificates and 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,350.00)
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Original gum, small h.r., deep shade and impression, accompanying certificate does not note reperfed right side and small corner crease at upper leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL IS AN EXTREMELY RARE STAMP IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 1985 P.F. certificate
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Well-centered, rich color and light cork cancel, Very Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate